Richard Henderson 1959 to 1966

The transition from football to rugby union as the main winter sport at St Mary’s was not a smooth one and, for many boys, an unpopular one. It might never have happened at all were it not for a group of rugby-loving boys who were able to help fulfil Fr McKeown’s dream of establishing the oval ball game at the school. One of these boys was Bexleyheath-based Richard ‘Dick’ Henderson, who would skipper one of the earliest first fifteens to wear the purple and white hoops. Dick left St Mary’s in 1966 and went to Aberdeen University to study Biology. After doing a teacher training course he landed a job as Biology Master at Dartford Grammar School where he taught for 36 years before retiring in 2008. Married with two sons, Dick still enjoys watching Sidcup RFC, a club he played for and where, for a time, he was Chairman of Selectors. He looks back on St Mary’s with mixed feelings but says: “If you wanted to work hard and progress, I think the opportunity was there for you and there were some good staff who could help you on your way.” Dick is pictured with his wife of 48 years, Frances.